Cars, Law and Politics from Boston.

Parking Vigilantes, Automobile Etiquette, and Air

Jay Fitzgerald asked another car etiquette question today. It seems a (crazy) man in Jamaica Plain appointed himself Protector of Parking Rules and repeatedly vandalized his neighbors' cars for perceived infractions. It got so bad that the police set up a sting, and caught him on tape keying a police van. Jay knows that screwdrivers and keys are over the top, but wonders about fruit:

But how about throwing/placing/smearing rotten tomatoes on cars that are illegally parked?

Thanks for the question, Jay; I'm glad to help. The answer is:

Tomatoes are out, too. They are acidic, and can cause permanent harm
to a car by damaging the paint. By causing damage to the car, as
opposed to one of its discrete parts, you are probably committing a
felony because it is unlikely that the repair can be accomplished for
less than the $250 threshold (See M.G.L. c. 266, § 127). So what is an aggrieved citizen to do?

It is always best to call the authorities. Perhaps they will respond.
Failing that, leave a note for the offender, in a pleasant and
non-confrontational tone, to ask for his voluntary compliance. When
that fails, just let the air out of his tires. Properly done, it
causes no permanent harm, but mere inconvenience.

Gentlemen who respect automobiles understand that they are the mere instruments of another's misbehavior. It would be bad form, indeed, to cause any lasting damage.

Of course, the air in a Maybach might be worth $250 on its own. Something has to make the thing worth $350,000.

Once upon a time (1988) I had a solid piece of iron (1979 Delta88). I was getting ready to leave a crowded event at a local race track (MidOhio). As I approached my car I saw that there was a new car (Buick Somerset) that completely blocking my route of egress. I pushed it, and in doing so did a significant amount of body damage. Today I ambivalent on the event.

I never heard about this before and I never knew that tomatoes is acidic enough to ruin a car's paint job. Thanks for posting this! Car repaints are quite expensive, so people must be informed about this. I still see people doing this unlawful act to other people's cars.